Rim and wheel assemblies



Dec- 8, 1964 w. D. WALTHER ETAL 3,160,442

RIM AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES Original Filed July 19. 1961 INVENTORS DANIEL A WALTHER 8 WILLIAM D. WA THER BY i @4 Mzf ATTORNEYS United States Patent O s claims. (C1. 301-12) This application .is a division of United States application Serial No. 125,241, filed July 19, 1961. The present invention relates to rim and wheel assemblies for mounting automotive or vehicle tires. More particularly, the invention relates to novel concepts for rim and wheel assemblies particularly intended for the mounting of relatively wide bead or wide base truck tires.

The relatively wide bead or wide base truck tire, also currently being referred lto by the trade names Duplex or Super Single tires, is a recent innovation. The advantages claimed yfor such a tire include greater overthe-road stability for the vehicle, wider spring spacing, higher load carrying capacity, elimination of re hazards originating from driving on duals when one tire is flat, and reduction in inventory of spare tires. ln any event, the relatively wide base truck tire renders conventional rim and wheel assemblies technically obsolescent and requires of new concepts for the mounting.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved rim and wheel assemblies for mounting relatively wide automotive or vehicle tires.

Further, it is `an object to provide a rim construction, having bead flanges spaced sufficiently wide apart to accommodate a Wide bead truck tire, and Which can be mounted on a Wheel in a secure and accurate manner by providing for maximum lateral and a maximum radial runout of not more :than 0.015 inch, respectively.

Still further, it is an object to provide concepts or improved rims for mounting wide ead tires, which concepts can be applied to the construction of either a so- 3,160,442 Patented Dec. `8, 1964 ICC axially extending driving lugs (or notches) on the web adjacent the medial rib.

The form of improved wheel, indicated generally by the numeral 15, has a load bearing orfelly surface of substantially conventional width on the outer end of each radially extending spoke member. The inclined surface on a flange portion at the axially inner end or" the felly surface is not intended for mounting the flange of the inner rim as in a conventional dual rim and Wheel assembly, but is utilized to seat the axially inner end of an improved spacer band. The axially inner portion of each spoke member preferably also has a series of driving meral 18 and shown in FIG.` 1, has an axially` inner Y portion which seats against the wheel ange portion. The

called drop center rim or the earlier form of so-called n flat base rim.

Still further, it is an object to provide a rim construction for mounting wide bead tires in which means are provided to interlock the rim and Wheel components of an assembly so that the driving forces Will be positively transmitted through the rim and Wheel without slippage, distontion of undue axle wear.

' These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent in view of the following detailed description of several forms of the invention and the attached drawings.

'ln the drawing: Y

FIG. l shows a wheel, constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention and utilizing improved onepiece spacers for mounting either an improved flat base rim (full lines) or an improved drop center rim (chain lines), and

FIG. 2 shows the improved wheel of FIG. 1 and the alternative forms of the improved rims, mounted more axially inward of the Wheel by the use of improved dual or two-piece spacers.

Each form of improved rim, indicated generally by the numeral 165 has peripheral flanges for seating the tire beads, a relatively wide web or base portion connecting the bead anges to provide the requisite spacing for the beads of a mounted tire, a relatively narrow radially y inwardly directed rib member located medially of the web and having, a preferably dat and horizontal, axially extending load bearing surface with an inner diameter just slightly greater than the load bearing surface of the axially inner portion of a spacer 16 preferably also has a series of driving lugs (or notches) to selectively intert and positively interlock with driving notches (or lungs) on the spoke ends of a wheel 15. The axially outer portion of a spacer 16 preferably also has a series of driving notches (or lugs) to selectively intert and positively interlock with at least one of the rim driving lugs (or notches).

The dual or split spacer band, indicated generally by the numeral 17 and shown in FlG. 2, has an vinner band 18 seated or interfitting between the axially inner side of the medial rib of a rim 105 and the ange portion of a Wheel 15, and preferably also having interftting and interlocking lugs and notches in the manner of spacer 16. The outer band 19 seats between the axially outer side of the rim medial rib and the clamping surface of a lug 114 or other suitable clamp means or device.

Referring to FIG. 1, each clamp lug 114 has a radially oriented upright leg 27 with a slot for a stud or supponting bolt 25. The horizontal leg or lateral portion 29 of a lug 114 extends axially inward along the face of a wheel felly surface and terminates in an axially inward radially inclined conical surface or face-30 for wedging engagement with the axially outer side of the medial rib of a rim 105. The clamp face 30 is beveled at a standard clamping angle, (c g.) approximately 28, as shown.

-The rims shown in chain lines as mounted 0n a Wheel 15 aregenerally of the so-called dropA center type, and Y could be used, -for example, for mounting Wide bead tires having a radial diameter of 20". Such a rim. has low side flanges 42 for confining the outer edge of each tire bead, integral peripheral bead flanges 43 having a stand. ard 15-20 taper for the actual seating of each tire bead and safety ledge 44. Elements 42, 43 and 44 are found wheel, and preferably one or more radially |inward facing in conventional drop center rim constructions.

Axially inward of the safety ledge 44, the web or base portion of a drop center rim is formed to provide a medial rib or load bearing member 45. The radially inward face of a medial rib 45 is flat and horizontal to provide an annularly continuous axially extending surface 46 for seating against the machined felly surfaces 92 of a wheel 15.

The axially outer side of a medial rib 45 is radially inf larly continuous surface for mating engagement against the axially outer portion of a spacer 16 or 18.

Axially inward of the annularly continuous rib surface,

Vthe web portion of a rim has a horizontal portion 49 extending laterally to intersect a short vertical portion 5t) extending radially inward from the axially inner bead llange43. The approximately right angled portions 49 md 50 are preferably embodied in the rim to provide for greater strength and rigidity of structure. Y

The rims shown in full lines as mounted on a Wheel 15 1re generally of the so-called dat base type, and could :e used, for example, for mounting' wide bead tires havng a radial diameter of`20. The axially outer side of 1 ilat base rim has a removable bead flange 64, airseal 55, if the rim is to mount a tubeless tire, and lock ring i6 interiit-ting with a lock flange 67. The axially inner :ide of the rim has a fixed bead flange 68. ElementsY 64, 55, if used, 66, 67 and 68 are found in conventional flaft )ase rim constructions. Y

Between the flanges 67 and 68, the web or base porion of the rim has two laterally extending portions 69 md 70 connected by a medialrib or load bearing memaer 71. 'In `the same manner as described above with 'espect to the medial rib 45 of a drop center rim, the nedial rib 71 of the ilat base rim has a ilat and hori- :ontal surface '72 seating against the felly surfaces 92 if a wheel I15, a radially inclined surface 73 for wedging :ngagement by each'clamp lug, and a vertically oriented :urface 74 for mating engagement against the axially )uter portion of a spacer 16 or 1S.

A wheel 15 may have any desired number of spoke nembers 90 extending radially from a'hub area 91 and erminaxting at their outward ends in an accurately ma- :hined load bearing or felly surface 92. The radially )uter terminal portion of each spoke member is provided Vith a projecting boss 93 having a threaded bore 94 for tttachment of a clamp lug,^as by a stud bolt 25 and iut 26.

The axially extending felly surface 92 is of substanially conventional width and terminates at a flange poror face of the band 19 is oriented or inclined to provide a surface y11-1 for mating engagement by the clamping surface 112 of a clamp means 114. As shown, the clamp lug 114 shown in FIG. 2 differs from the clamp lug shown in FIG. 1, in that there is no horizontal leg or lateral portion and the clamping surface '112 is provided on the end of the upright clamp leg 27 extending radially outwardly of felly surfaces `92. The axially outer face of the band 19 extends laterally outward beyond felly surface 92 of the wheel 15 to provide a surface 111 suitably oriented, preferably substantially perpendicularly to ion 95 having a beveled bearing surface 96 inclined ralially outward at a standard angle (e.g.), approximately 28 as shown. Elements `90, 91, 92, l93, 94, 95 and 96 tre found in conventional spoke wheel construction, see :y way of example, George Walther, Sr., U.S. Patent Jo. 2,767,026. i

Referring to FIG. 1, .the rim 105 is aligned and posi-A ioned on 'the wheel 15 by Va preferably annularly coninuous spacer or band 16. The radially inner face of t band 16 is preferably accurately machined to provide t close tolerance slip fit over the felly surfaces 92 of t wheel 15. IBetween the radially outer face of a band i6 and the axially inner web portion (70 or 49) of a the rotational axis of the wheel 15, for mating engagement at a point axially outward of the wheel felly surface 92 with fthe clamp lug surface 112. A clamp means of the general form of clamp lug 114 is preferred to accurately and securely align the outer band 19, of a dual spacer 17, with the rim 105.

Conclusion The above disclosure ofY several forms of rim and wheel assemblies particularly intended for the mounting of relatively wide beadY or wide base truck tires is illustrative of the novel concepts of the invention. It will also be apparent from the disclosurey that the various rim-Wheel-spacer elements embodying the concepts of this invention could be changed or modified without departure from the true scope and spiritof the invention. Therefore, the true scope of the invention should be adjudged solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rim and wheel assembly for wide bead tires, comprising, a wheel having a relatively widel felly surface on the outward ends of radially extending spoke members and a radially outwardly directed flange portion at the axially inner end of each felly surface, an annular spacer band having an axially inner face Vfor sea-ting against said Wheel flange portions, and a rim having peripheral flanges for seating vthe tire beads, a relatively wide base portion connecting the bead ilanges, and a relatively narrow radially inwardly directed rib member located medially of said base portion, the radially inward face of said medial rib having an axially extending surface for seating against said felly surfaces, the axially inner side of said medial rib being oriented to provide a surface 'im 105, the clearance isrsuicient for easy mounting of he rim on the wheel.

The axially outer portion or face of band -16 is pref- :rably provided with a series of driving notches 107 l0' :ated and shaped so as to selectively and positively iu- :erlock with a rim driving lug l106 preferably located mmediately next to the axially inner surfaces of a melial rib (7'1 or 45). The axially inner portion or face )f band 16 is radially inclined at a suitable angle to profide a surface 108 for wedging engagement against the ;urface 96 of each spoke flange 95. If desired, the axially inner portion of band 16 may be provided with ixially extending driving lugs 109 projecting radially inyard of the spoke `flanges 95 or felly surfaces 92 and received within suitable notches formed'in the spoke ands.

Referring to lFIG. 2, the dual or split spacer 17 may Je utilized when it is desired to mount the rim 105 closer :o the axial center of the wheel 15, for purposes of veight load distribution, spring spacing, etc. The inner :and 18 would be of narrower width than spacer 16 but )therwise similar, having axially outer driving notches [07, a surface 108, and axially inner driving lugs 109, f desired.

The axially inner portion or face of the outer band 19 )f a spacer 17 is radially inclined at a suitable angle toV )rovide a surface 110 for wedging engagement against he axially outer side (surfaces 73 or 47) of the medial for seating against the axially outer face of said spacer band. Y Y

` 2. A rim and wheel assembly according to claim 1 in which thev axially.v outer face of each wheel ange portion is beveled at an angle of approximately 28 and said annular spacer band is seated between the axially inner side of'said medial rib and said beveled flange face.

3. A rim and wheel assembly for wide bead tires, cornprising, a wheel having a relatively wide felly surface on the outward ends of radially extending spoke members and a radially outwardly directed flange portion at the axially inner end of each felly surface, a series of lugs having a clamping surface extending radially outwardly of said felly surfaces, a first annular spacer band having an axially inner face for seating against said wheel flange portions, a second annular spacer band having an axially outer face for seating against said lug clamping surfaces, and a rim having peripheral flanges for seating the tire beads, a relatively wide base portion connecting the bead flanges, and a relatively narrow radially inwardly directed rib member located medially of said base portion, the radially inward face of said medial rib having an axially extending surface for seating against said felly surfaces, the axially inner side of said medial rib being oriented to provide a 'surface for seating against the axially outer face'of said Afirst spacerfband, the axially outer side of said medial rib being oriented to provide a surface for seating against the axially inner -face of said second tion is beveled at an angle of approximately 28 and said first annular spacer band is seated between the axial- ;y inner side of said medial rib and said beveled fiange ace.

5. A rim and wheel assembly for wide bead tires, comprising, a wheel having a relatively wide felly surface on the outward ends of radially extendingspoke members, a radially outwardly directed flange portion at the axially inner end of each felly surface, and a series of notches extending axially inwardly through each flange portion, an annular spacer band having an axially inner portion with a series of axially extending lugs and an axially outer portion with a series of axially extending notches, and a rim having peripheral lianges for seating the tire beads, a relatively wide base portion connecting the bead ilanges, a relatively narrow radially inwardly directed rib member located medially of said base portion, the radially inward face of said medial rib having an axially extending surface for seating against said felly surfaces, the axially inner side of said medial rib being oriented to provide a surface for seating against the am'ally outer face of said spacer band, and at least one axially extending lug on said base portion adjacent the axially inner side of said medial rib,.the series of lugs on said spacer band selectively interlitting with said flange notches, the series of notches on said spacer band selectively interlitting with at least one of said rim base lugs.

6. A rim and wheel assembly according to claim 5 in which'the axially outer face of each wheel ange portion is beveled at an angle of approximately 28 and said annular spacer band is seated against the axially inner side of said medial rib with said notches selectively intertting with at least one of said rim lugs and against said beveled ilange face with said lugs selectively intertting with said ange notches. Y

7. A rim and wheel assembly for wide bead tires, comprising, a wheel having a relatively widefelly surface on the outward ends of radially extending spoke members, a radially outwardly directed ilange portion at the axially inner end of each felly surface, and a series of notches extending axially inwardly through each ange portion, a series of lugs having a clamping surface extending radially outwardly of said felly surfaces, a lirst annular spacer band having an axially inner portion with a series of axially extending lugs and an axially outer portion with a series of axially extending notches, a second annular spacer band having an axially outer face for seating against said lug clamping surfaces, and a rim having peripheral flanges for seating the tire beads, a relatively wide base portion connecting the bead anges, a relatively narrow radially inwardly directed rib member located medially of said base portion, the radially inward face of said medial rib having an axially extending surface for seating against said felly surfaces, the axially outer side of said medial rib being oriented to provide ,a surface for seating against the axially outer face of said iirst spacer band, the axially outer side of said medial rib being oriented to provide a surface for seating against the axially inner face of said second spacer band, and at` least one axially extending lug on said base portion adjacent the axially inner side of said medial n'b, the series of lugs on said llirst spacer band selectively intertting with said i'lange notches, the series of notches on said lirst spacer band selectively interlitting with at least one of said rim base lugs.

8. A rim and wheel assembly according to claim 7 in which the axially outer face` of each wheel ange portion is beveled at an angle of approximately 28 and said first annular spacer band is seated against the axially inner side of said medial rib with said notches selectively intertting with at least one of said rim lugs and against said beveled llange surface with said lugs selectively intertting with said llange notches.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,869,635 Walther Aug. 2, 1932 3,007,741 vBrown Nov. 7, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 982,468 France Jan. 31. 1951 

1. A RIM AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR WIDE BEAD TIRES, COMPRISING, A WHEEL HAVING A RELATIVELY WIDE FELLY SURFACE ON THE OUTWARD ENDS OF RADIALLY EXTENDING SPOKE MEMBERS AND A RADIALLY OUTWARDLY DIRECTED FLANGE PORTION AT THE AXIALLY INNER END OF EACH FELLY SURFACE, AN ANNULAR SPACER BAND HAVING AN AXIALLY INNER FACE FOR SEATING AGAINST SAID WHEEL FLANGE PORTIONS, AND A RIM HAVING PERIPHERAL FLANGES FOR SEATING THE TIRE BEADS, A RELATIVELY WIDE BASE PORTION CONNECTING THE BEAD FLANGES, AND A RELATIVELY NARROW RADIALLY INWARDLY DIRECTED RIB MEMBER LOCATED MEDIALLY OF SAID BASE PORTION, THE RADIALLY INWARD FACE OF SAID MEDIAL RIB HAVING AN AXIALLY EXTENDING SURFACE FOR SEATING AGAINST SAID FELLY SURFACES, THE AXIALLY INNER SIDE OF SAID MEDIAL RIB BEING ORIENTED TO PROVIDE A SURFACE FOR SEATING AGAINST THE AXIALLY OUTER FACE OF SAID SPACER BAND. 